Tuesday | May 6, 2025
Germany Thrown Into Political Turmoil as Friedrich Merz Fails to Secure Parliamentary Backing for Chancellor Role.
Germany was thrust into deeper political uncertainty on Tuesday after Friedrich Merz, leader of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), failed to secure a majority in a crucial parliamentary vote that was widely expected to confirm his appointment as the country’s next chancellor. The unexpected result, which marks a historic first in modern German politics, has delayed the formation of a new government and ignited renewed tensions in Berlin.
Merz, who had won Germany’s federal election in February and spent the following weeks negotiating a governing coalition, fell just six votes short of the required 316 in the Bundestag. Only 310 lawmakers backed him in the secret ballot — a stinging and highly public setback for a politician who had hoped to bring stability after a period of intense political turbulence.
The failed vote now triggers a two-week window during which Merz can seek approval in a subsequent parliamentary vote. If he fails again, the German president may be forced to either nominate a new chancellor or call for fresh elections — a scenario that the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party is already demanding.
Tuesday’s defeat is especially shocking given the context. Merz had announced a surprise coalition last month with the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), Germany’s other major establishment force. The rare CDU-SPD alliance was seen as a strategic move to keep the increasingly powerful AfD — which finished second in the February vote — out of government. However, the failure of Merz to secure enough parliamentary votes suggests dissent within the ranks of one or both coalition parties.
Political analysts say it’s difficult to determine exactly where the opposition came from, since Bundestag votes for chancellor are conducted by secret ballot. Nonetheless, the result underscores how fragile the new coalition truly is. It also raises concerns about Merz’s ability to lead a stable government capable of implementing reforms or confronting pressing issues such as economic stagnation, immigration, and foreign policy challenges.
Adding to the pressure on Merz is Germany’s international role. He had planned diplomatic visits to Paris and Warsaw later this week to reinforce Germany’s position in Europe. Those trips are now in jeopardy as he must instead rally support at home and prepare for another critical vote.
The political instability comes at a delicate moment for Germany. The country has recently seen rising domestic unrest fueled by the AfD’s aggressive populism, while the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has grown more confrontational in its dealings with Berlin. Many Germans had hoped the formation of a new government would bring a sense of calm and clarity. Instead, Tuesday’s vote has sparked further confusion and concern.
Markets reacted quickly to the developments. The German DAX index dropped by 1.1% in the immediate aftermath of the vote, though it later pared back some of those losses. Analysts warned that Merz’s struggles could limit Germany’s ability to enact meaningful economic reforms.
“The result of today’s vote serves as a reminder of how narrow the majority of the new coalition is, which further dampens hopes for sweeping economic reforms,” Commerzbank said in a note to investors.
Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg Bank, called the failed vote “a bad surprise.” He warned that even if Merz ultimately succeeds in winning parliamentary approval, the damage has been done.
“The unprecedented failure to be elected in the first round would still be a bad start,” Schmieding said. “It shows that he cannot fully rely on his two coalition parties.”
As Germany faces the prospect of ongoing gridlock and uncertainty, all eyes are now on the CDU leader’s next move — and whether he can hold together a coalition that already appears to be fraying at the seams.